Tamsulosin and Pain: What Users Say

• Har...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 26, 2021

Tamsulosin for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "Was prescribed Flomax for urine retention issues, after going to ER to have catheter to empty bladder. Within a week or so after starting the medication, experienced severe back, hip, neck, and shoulder pains - pain seemed to move from location to location. Was so bad that at times I could barely move. Stopped the meds and pain vanished in a few days. Subsequently had a TURP procedure which seems to have improved urine flow and reduced urine retention."

• Har...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 26, 2021

Tamsulosin for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "Was prescribed Flomax for urine retention issues, after going to ER to have catheter to empty bladder. Within a week or so after starting the medication, experienced severe back, hip, neck, and shoulder pains - pain seemed to move from location to location. Was so bad that at times I could barely move. Stopped the meds and pain vanished in a few days. Subsequently had a TURP procedure which seems to have improved urine flow and reduced urine retention."

• zyp...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 1, 2020

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "I am 57 years old and have been on Tamsulosin for about 4 years. I had recurring urination problems for a couple of years after a prolonged bad bout with prostatitis. I ended up with a blockage that required a catheter for a couple of weeks (not the first time). My urologist put me on this 'stuff', and yes, I am now Niagara Falls in the can, but the side effects were and are off the charts and have gotten progressively worse over time. Constant dizziness, no energy, bad balance, muscle and joint aches, breathing and sinus problems (runny nose, sneezing, pain, nasal drip), and recently, I have developed a cough and have to clear my throat constantly. I'm done! Tapering off. I will talk to my urologist about other options. At this point, the catheter looks good! LOL. This drug does work well, but the 'price' of the side effects is just too high for me. Good luck!!"

• Upa...
• April 8, 2009

Tamsulosin for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "I have been using Flomax for two years. It keeps me going but I still get up at least three times a night. Flow is not normal, light stream. My PSA is under 2.0 and always has been. I'm tired, sore, and not getting any better. I have not had sex for a long time. I'm going to try a new drug."

• Dru...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 1, 2019

Tamsulosin for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "I am 52 years old and have been taking this drug for the last 2 years. I have finally come to the conclusion that the side effects of Flomax and what I am feeling are real. Mostly fatigue, body aches and pains, and headaches associated with back pain and sinus aches and pains. My libido is mostly okay, and sex is normal. Thinking seriously of stopping this med and seeing what happens."

• Jav...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 28, 2015

Tamsulosin for Urinary Tract Stones "Woke up with nausea and diarrhea and unbearable pain in my left side. Days later, ended up at the ER and a cat scan showed a 6mm stone on the left. The doctor put me on Flomax 1X per day for 10 days and pain meds. Followed up with a urologist 9 days after taking the Flomax, and an ultrasound showed no more stone on my left side, I passed it without feeling it. I have another 5mm on my right, but now that I know what to expect, I will have Flomax and pain meds on hand for the next episode."

• Lyn...
• December 6, 2015

Tamsulosin for Urinary Tract Stones "I felt like someone hit me in the back one day, it throbbed and felt swollen. It bothered me for a few hours. Two weeks later, I couldn't pee, and it hurt so bad I went to the ER. They did a CT scan to find a 6 mm kidney stone in my ureter. They started me on Flomax. I followed up with my doctor, and two weeks later, I passed it with no pain except a little pain when I peed. I don't know if it was the Flomax or chanca piedra that I bought that did it, but it was painless, and I was so worried. Now I will take it to my doctor to be analyzed."

• Mat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 7, 2018

Tamsulosin for Urinary Tract Stones "Had a 4 mm kidney stone and was told it is likely to take 3 - 4 weeks to pass. Offered a stent, which I refused. Started Flomax, and the stone passed 2 days later. Read one online case note about the use of Flomax, which suggested it was more effective for larger stones (6 - 7 mm) and only marginal benefit for smaller stones. I think the marginal benefit was because stones smaller in size are expected to pass on their own. However, it is my opinion that Flomax sped the passage of this smaller stone. It also worked to relieve the pain. For anyone suffering with kidney stones, trying Flomax is a must."

• Xan...
• March 12, 2021

Tamsulosin for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "After the invasive bladder exam, Wednesday I was prescribed Flomax. I went directly to the pharmacy, though I was offered a cheaper generic, I took Flomax. I took only 3 pills (the low dosage) over 3 days. I did not like it. I was provoked to urinate almost 30 times in 24 hours. It’s a gut punch-squeeze on your innards to get urine out, with forced straining, grimacing. It is hard to describe the discomfort/pain, and it lingers a little after. The genitals are sensitized by this drug. More sensitive than before, not good. Just no. After speaking to nurses and pharmacists (who went back and forth on this), I stopped after 3 doses. I used sleeping pills to sleep through most of the last 3 nights. I couldn’t leave the house until yesterday because I’d have to go. The effects of the drug aren’t out of my system since taking the last dose on Sunday-today is Thursday night."

• 3Ma...
• November 27, 2019

Tamsulosin for Urinary Tract Stones "Flomax makes it easier to pass stones, makes it more tolerable, too. But how do you get the stone to start moving when it doesn't choose to do so on its own and is sitting there just waiting? My experience is based on passing two 4mm stones and a couple of smaller ones; it may not work with larger stones. In my experience, walking out in the cold air helps with moving the stone. Dress warmly to avoid catching a cold, but let the cold creep up into your body from the feet. Drink lots of water beforehand with some lemon juice in it, take your Flomax, and walk in the cold air. You can practically feel the movement and pain of the stone soon after. Just have your pain med handy and repeat this several times a day. I do not know if this really works or if it was just a coincidence in my case that I walked in cold weather several times before seeing my stone pass; a spurious correlation, perhaps. But if this is a real effect, it may have something to do with cold-induced diuresis."

• Reb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 16, 2019

For Urinary Tract Stones "I was put on tamsulosin after being diagnosed with kidney stones. It worked with getting rid of the kidney stones but left me with horrible side effects after stopping the pill, such as dizziness, muscle weakness, weakness, lightheadedness, chest pain, chest tightness, puffy red irritated eyes, side pain, lower back pain, insomnia, vertigo, abnormal heart rhythm, heart palpitations, sensation of spinning, fast pounding heart, difficult breathing, faintness, muscle and joint pain. I am a 21-year-old female. Yeah, trust me, I can barely walk right now out of fear of fainting. Use this medication with extreme caution!"

• Dud...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 14, 2021

Tamsulosin for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "I posted previously (I think here?) about my dissatisfaction with Flomax and the pain and discomfort it caused me during the 3 days (3 doses) I took it and the 5 days after I stopped taking it, thinking I was experiencing residual effects. Turns out I had a UTI infection due to the cystoscopy. Be sure to get antibiotics after cystoscopies, before starting Flomax, avoiding much pain and discomfort. I might give Flomax another try, will consult with additional doctors before!"

• TD1...
• February 25, 2016

Tamsulosin for Urinary Tract Stones "Diagnosed with a 5 mm stone in October. Dull ache in lower back and pink urine. Given Flomax and started drinking 1.5 gallons of water a day. In February, to the ER with extreme pain - could not stand or sit - pain felt like a spasm that started mildly in my lower left abdomen and then grew to the point of extreme (10/10) from my abdomen down to my feet. CT showed the stone had moved just slightly to the outflow of my kidney. Had a procedure to remove it with ureteral stent placement afterwards. If Flomax did anything, I am not aware of it."

• J-P...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 12, 2022

Tamsulosin for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "I'm almost 62. For the last 2 years developed an enlarged prostate, and stream decreased and wouldn't completely empty. Also had dribbles. Also had constant urgency to urinate. Doctor prescribed oxybutynin. Worked great for urgency. Talked to him about dribble and stream. Put me on Flomax. Solved dribble, but I wake up at night 6 times with the pain of a fiery sledgehammer at my prostate all while urinating. After 3 weeks on Flomax, stopped taking, and pain continues. Even after urination one week later, the effects linger. Definitely not for me."

• Nel...
• November 23, 2016

Tamsulosin for Urinary Tract Stones "Had severe kidney stones from 2002 to 2005. Moved to a cooler climate (Newfoundland, Canada), and the stones stopped being produced from May to September. Now - 2016 - I've been suffering with a very painful stone stuck high in the ureter since early July. It is now late November, and my new GP has just prescribed FLOMAX .4 mg to try to relax my right ureter so the stone will pass. A CT scan says it is only 1 mm, so the GP doesn't want to send me to a urologist - yet. Just took the first pill while reading this website. Everyone's comments are so very helpful. THANK YOU! While the stone is very small, it is amazingly painful, causing nausea and screaming pain when it starts up again. Am also drinking beer, which is supposed to help. Good luck to others."

• BV1...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 3, 2020

Tamsulosin for Urinary Tract Stones "Had pink urine and slight discomfort for 2 days, figured it was a possible kidney stone issue. At the end of 2 days of pink urine, I went to the ER as pain was rising and more yet on the drive. At the ER, they gave me a weak pain med and 1 dose of Flomax before any CT scan. Shortly after taking Flomax, I had extreme pain in my lower right abdomen. Was given a stronger pain med and told it would work in 15 minutes. It did 13 minutes later. Pain was gone. Then they got me in for CT scans, one without contrast, the 2nd with contrast. The 2nd was best, no stones found but a constriction in the ureter along with a bulge in the ureter at the kidney. The doctor would not say I passed a stone. But I'm pretty sure I did. Will be going to the urologist for follow-up."

• jpo...
• August 11, 2018

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "It does work. Sometimes too well. While taking it, I've been forced to wear a Depends Guard because there can be considerable 'leakage.' At most, I will take it once in the evening to allow me to get up less during the night. The worst part is the side effects. During my yearly physical a few years ago, I told my doctor that I had back and hip pain that just doesn't seem to go away. In the past, I had extremely painful backaches, but they would always go away. I had X-rays done and was told that I had osteoarthritis in my back and hips. If I stop taking Flomax for a few days, my aches and pains are nearly gone. If I start again, they are back. I also had arthritic pain in my hands that was diminished after stopping Flomax. My PSA has dropped, and my urologist said my prostate is shrinking (some) thanks to taking Finasteride. I'll use Flomax only as really needed. I avoid it when possible."

• jpo...
• August 11, 2018

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "It does work. Sometimes too well. While taking it, I've been forced to wear a Depends Guard because there can be considerable 'leakage.' At most, I will take it once in the evening to allow me to get up less during the night. The worst part is the side effects. During my yearly physical a few years ago, I told my doctor that I had back and hip pain that just doesn't seem to go away. In the past, I had extremely painful backaches, but they would always go away. I had X-rays done and was told that I had osteoarthritis in my back and hips. If I stop taking Flomax for a few days, my aches and pains are nearly gone. If I start again, they are back. I also had arthritic pain in my hands that was diminished after stopping Flomax. My PSA has dropped, and my urologist said my prostate is shrinking (some) thanks to taking Finasteride. I'll use Flomax only as really needed. I avoid it when possible."

• Joh...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 27, 2022

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "Still dribbly when peed, I had acute lower back pain in the kidney area on the right side. Is this common? Still up a few times in the night to pee. I have groin pain and lower right stomach pain and wonder if all this is connected. I would like to know?"

• Vik...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 22, 2019

For Urinary Tract Stones "I had pain in the lower left abdominal area in the form of waves. It started in the morning and kept on coming every one hour. I had to go to the ER, and they said, 'I have a stone in the ureter of about 3 mm,' and they prescribed Flomax with some painkillers. After coming home, I was still having the waves of pain every one hour, decided to go back to the ER, but friends suggested taking Flomax and trying to sleep. I took it after having some food and then slept. After 3-4 hours, the stone passed, and I could see it."

• Asi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 15, 2020

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "I used to get urine drops, went to the GP in England. GP said may be your prostate enlarged, even I had it checked by a different doctor and it wasn't, but I was told to take these for a month. I started taking these and after two weeks my right knee started feeling funny and started crackling, and after a few days it's gone worse. Every time I move it, it will click, and I ended up in very bad pain. Tried many exercises because I used to be a sports person, but still the same. So went back to GP, they said it's vitamin D. A doctor gave me 4000 units tablets, but it didn't help. Even my left knee started the same thing intermittently. I stopped Contiflo XL immediately, and now my both knees are in extreme pain. I know it's caused by these tablets. I don't know where to go because GP in England don't give a damn, either they will say it's vitamin D or I have serious mental health issues. Probably they get some commission from suppliers."

• Pai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 3, 2022

Tamsulosin for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "Following hip replacement, with one day of Foley catheter, urination was painful! Building up to pee, and for the first 15 seconds, it felt like my stream, although very weak and dribbly, was pure acid. Ouch. Expected this for a short while, but it has been 6 weeks. This week, I started taking the Flomax I had leftover from a previous kidney stone event. In a few hours, and all week so far, the pain is gone. Flow is steady and stronger. Why didn't I remember these pills sooner? Was unsure how much they helped for stone passage, but this penile pain relief was obvious."

• Use...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 31, 2018

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "Very difficult to run. Muscles seem to not repair. I run 4 miles and feel like I ran a marathon the next day. Lots of lightheadedness. Skin tender; hurts - feels like the flu. My BPH must be severe because after 2 months I still have to self-cath. Would like to get TURP and get off this med ASAP."

• ftc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 1, 2023

For Urinary Tract Stones "I am a 74-year-old male who has had four episodes of passing stones, about 8 years apart. Fifteen months ago, I passed a 9mm and 5mm stone at the same time without any indication or pain. I followed up with a CT scan to determine if I had any other stones and found that a large stone over 10mm was at the top of my ureter. My urologist suggested lithotripsy. Three close friends had recently undergone the procedure and had the stones removed. All three developed sepsis, and two of them almost died. I told my urologist that I would rather wait and see if the stone would eventually work its way down the ureter than risk the procedure. I took Tamsulosin for a month and drank a lot of water, but nothing happened for 6 months. Last week, I experienced raging pain in my right kidney. I took one Tamsulosin and endured 10 hours of excruciating pain and eventually passed the 10mm stone."

• Man...
• February 8, 2022

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "So far, this medication has been good, easy urination, strong urine flow, no pain while urinating, and now going to the toilet only one time at night. First week, I was having facial pain, mostly right side, other than that, no other side effects. Three weeks taking this pill and good outcome so far."